Re-watching The Color Purple

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I recently re-watched the Color Purple and I appreciate it much more as an adult than I did as a teen. Even as a teen I knew the movie was a beautiful piece of art. But now as an adult with much more life under my belt I can understand and articulate why the film is so beautiful to me. 


Upon my re-watch I noticed a major theme that I had not before. The theme of hope is present throughout the entire film. No matter what Celie is going through the surroundings are still bright. Besides complementing the beautiful brown skin of the cast the coloring also serves as a sign of hope. The message is simple yet uplifting. In this world we experience pain, suffering, and lose but we must not give up on ourselves or others. 

At the end of the film I realized that everything Celie lost she gained back by the end of the film. She lost her children but gained them both back. She lost her sister for a while but in time she gained her beloved companion back. Finally she lost her voice and joy but regained these back tenfold. This pattern of having, losing, and gaining back can be seen in the side characters as well. Shug Avery, Harpo, and Sofia also love, lose, and regain. Even the ‘villain’ Mr._____ gets beautiful character growth.  Every painful scene is balanced with a heartwarming scene.

For example one of the most heartbreaking scenes in the film.


That scene is balanced out with a very heartwarming scene. Your heart leaps for joy!



The Color Purple takes you on an emotional journey but does not drop you off and leave you in despair. It is a sad film, but balance means that it is also a happy film. The Color Purple has wonderful acting, amazing characters, beautiful drool worthy costumes, and an ending that doesn’t leave me without hope.





Now more than ever I can affirm my love for this classic piece of cinematic art. 

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